Abstract: The invention is directed to a holographic data storage system including a spatial light modulator device (SLM) that comprises optical elements in the form of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) elements. The PDLC elements are individually controllable, and can be made substantially transparent or substantially diffusive. The “on” or “off” state of each PDLC element is defined by whether the given PDLC element is transparent or diffusive. Additional states may also be defined for the PDLC elements, e.g., based on a level of diffusiveness of the PDLC elements. Also, a mirror layer may be added adjacent the PDLC elements to define a reflective-mode SLM. In any case, the SLM is used to encode bit maps into a holographic object beam.

Abstract: An optical address type spatial light modulator has a plurality of optical address type light modulation layers stacked on each other, each having a liquid crystal layer for reflecting visible light in a specific wavelength band or a liquid crystal layer for absorbing visible light in a specific wavelength band and coloring and a photoconductive layer for absorbing the visible light in the specific wavelength band and changing the resistance value in response to the light intensity of the visible light absorbed, the liquid crystal layer and the photoconductive layer being stacked on each other between electrodes.

Abstract: A display device includes a spatial light modulator and a light generator. The spatial light modulator may have an array of modulating elements with a plurality of image regions. The light generator may be configured to direct a different one of a plurality of substantially stationary light bands onto each of a plurality of the image regions of the array of modulating elements.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a screen or the like that enables a bright, homogeneous projection image to be observed in a wide range across an area where viewers are present. A screen having a micro-lens array formed of a plurality of micro-lens elements each having a first surface having a curvature and a second surface of an almost planar shape through which incident light that comes incident on the first surface can be transmitted.

Abstract: A reflective type liquid crystal optically addressed spatial light modulator has a first transparent substrate (1b), a first transparent electrode (2b) formed on the first transparent substrate (1b) and a photosensitive layer (3) formed on the first transparent electrode, formed from materials including hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-Si:C:H). A read-out light-blocking layer (4) is formed on top of the photosensor layer (3) and is formed from amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H). The high reflectance dielectric multilayer mirror (5) is formed on top of the light-blocking layer (4) and can be made of alternating the a-Si:C:H layers with a higher refractive index and the a-C:H layers with lower reflective index. The modulator also has a second transparent substrate (1a), a second transparent electrode (2a) formed on the second transparent substrate (1a), and a liquid crystal layer (8) disposed between the dielectric mirror (5) and the second transparent electrode (2a).

Abstract: A recording device comprises a display, a photoconductor superposed on the display, and a pair of electrodes disposed on both sides of the display and photoconductor. At least one of the electrodes is divided into sub-electrodes. Information can be written into the recording device by means of light while applying a voltage to each sub-electrode. Therefore, information is not written into part of the recording device corresponding to the sub-element to which no voltage is applied even if extraneous light is applied. As a result a sharp image with no noise can be formed. The recording device also comprises a feed member for applying a voltage to a pair of electrodes of such a recording device, a first light source for writing information in the recording device, and a second light source for reset. Consequently, reset and recording can be done in one cycle.

Abstract: Laser lines at 635 nm or longer (ideally 647 nm) are preferred for red, giving energy-efficient, bright, rapid-motion images with rich, full film-comparable colors. Green and blue lines are used too—and cyan retained for best color mixing, an extra light-power boost, and aid in speckle suppression. Speckle is suppressed through beam-path displacement—by deflecting the beam during projection, thereby avoiding both absorption and diffusion of the beam while preserving pseudocollimation (noncrossing rays). The latter in turn is important to infinite sharpness. Path displacement is achieved by scanning the beam on the liquid-crystal valves (LCLVs), which also provides several enhancements—in energy efficiency, brightness, contrast, beam uniformity (by suppressing both laser-mode ripple and artifacts), and convenient beam-turning to transfer the beam between apparatus tiers.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a first portion and a second portion. Both the first portion and the second portion include a planar electrode, a polar solvent, and a non-polar solvent. The polar solvent and the non-polar solvent are supported by the first planar electrode. A coating of molecules is attached to the first planar electrode and includes a head end. The head end changes between a first shape and a second shape.

Abstract: In order to provide a liquid crystal projector that prevents the image burn-in phenomenon or image sticking in a liquid crystal projector of ferroelectric liquid crystal, and moreover, that provides a bright projected image, the polarization directions of linearly polarized light beams that are irradiated upon a liquid crystal display device are switched in synchronization with the alternate reversal of the polarity of the liquid crystal display device, whereby a negative image, which could not be displayed in the prior art, can be converted to a positive image and displayed.

Abstract: A screen for image display apparatus according to the present invention has a base member, a light absorption layer formed on the base member and adapted for absorbing light of a visible light range, and a light control layer formed on the light absorption layer. The light control layer reflects projected image display light to form an image and has a reflection wavelength selection function of selectively reflecting light of the wavelength range of the image display light. By using the screen for image display apparatus according to the present invention, a user can easily enjoy large-screen image display even in a bright environment.

Abstract: A modulation optical system (40) provides modulation of an incident light beam. A wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240) receives the beam of light (130) and transmits a beam of light having a first polarization, and reflects a beam of light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. Sub-wavelength wires (250) on the wire grid polarization beamsplitter face a reflective spatial light modulator. The reflective spatial light modulator receives the polarized beam of light and selectively modulates the polarized beam of light to encode data thereon. The reflective spatial light modulator reflects back both the modulated light and the unmodulated light to the wire grid polarization beamsplitter. The wire grid polarization beamsplitter separates the modulated light from the unmodulated light. A compensator (260) is located between the wire grid polarization beamsplitter and the reflective spatial light modulator (210).

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one aspect to an image replication system comprising a light guide (2), a light source (8) arranged to direct emitted light into the first end (2a) of a light guide (2), a reflective spatial light modulator (6) and focussing means (16). In a preferred embodiment, the light guide (2) is in the form of an elongate glass rod having first and second parallel polygonal end faces (2a, 2b) which are parallel to the long axis of the rod, the rod having a uniform polygonal cross section along its length. The spatial light modulator (6) is optically coupled to the second end face (2b) of the light guide (2) and the focussing means (16) is arranged to receive light reflected back through the rod from the spatial light modulator (6), whereby to form multiple images of said spatial light modulator in an image plane (18).

Abstract: A color-separating and -recombining optical system provided between a light source and a projection lens in a projection display, has at least one prism assembly made up of at least two prisms bonded to each other with a bonding layer formed between the prisms. A white light emitted from the light source is divided into red-, green-, and blue-color light components related to primary colors. The light components are modulated by spatial light modulators in accordance with a video signal. The modulated light components are combined and projected onto a screen via the projection lens. The thickness of the bonding layer is varied as thin and thick for optical paths long and short, respectively, from the spatial light modulators to the bonding layer which each modulated light component emitted from the corresponding spatial light modulator reaches.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus used for a projection type display is provided, which can change the incident ray volume to an optical modulation device without changing the optical output intensity of the lamp, and can exhibit excellent effects in expressive power of an image and adaptability to the use environment. The lighting apparatus of the present invention comprises; a light source, two fly-eye lenses constituting a uniform lighting device, and a shading plate arranged between these fly-eye lenses and constituting a dimming device for adjusting the amount of light of the outgoing light from the light source. The angle of inclination of the shading plate is controlled based on an image signal supplied to the optical modulation device, thereby enabling adjustment of the amount of light.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator imaging system comprises an electrically addressed spatial light modulator (EASLM 4, 30) whose optical image output is projected onto different areas of an optically addressed spatial light modulator (OASLM, 6, 8, 31) in a sequence. The OASLM carries electrodes which allow separate areas to be selectively addressed by application of a voltage whilst receiving light from the EASLM. The combined output from all areas of the OASLM forms a visible image to an observer (11). When illuminated by coherent light the OASLM may produce a holographic image, otherwise incoherent light is used to provide a two dimensional image. The OASLM in one example contains a layer of nematic liquid crystal material between two cell walls both treated with an alignment layer providing low tilt surface alignment that is parallel in opposite direction; the product of layer thickness d and material birefringence ?n approximately equals one quarter of the wavelength ? of read light (12, 37).

Abstract: The invention features a photoconductively addressed display and a method of photoconductive addressing in a display. The method includes providing an electro-optic imaging layer that extends in an X direction and a Y direction and comprises an array of image elements. A column electrode layer is provided adjacent to one side of the electro-optic imaging layer. The column electrode layer includes a plurality of column electrodes that each extend in the Y direction and are spaced from one another in the X direction. A photoconductive layer disposed between the electro-optic imaging layer and the column electrode layer is provided. An elongate portion of the photoconductive layer is illuminated in the X direction while scanning the illumination in the Y direction to translate a location of the illuminated elongate portion.

Abstract: A conductive liquid crystal device capable of exhibiting luminescence of different luminances at an identical drive voltage, thus useful as an EL device having a memory chacteristic, is provided. The conductive liquid crystal device is formed by a pair of oppositely disposed electrodes and a liquid crystalline organic layer disposed between the electrodes, wherein the liquid crystalline organic layer has plural regions having different electroconductivities.

Abstract: A projection apparatus (10) forms a tiled image (12) on a display surface (14), the tiled image (14) having at least two adjacent image tile segments. The projection apparatus (10) includes an illumination system (16) for providing a first illumination beam having a first polarization state and a second illumination beam having a second polarization state, these illumination beams being substantially non-overlapping. First and second spatial light modulators (20) form first and second modulated light beams from their respective illumination beams. A beam aligner (40) directs these first and second modulated light beams along adjacent parallel paths, in the direction of the optical axis of a projection lens (18). The projection lens (18) directs the first and second modulated beams to the display surface (14) to form the first and second tile segments respectively.

Abstract: There is provided a display device in which an optical efficiency is improved using a color drum. The display device includes a road lens for totally reflecting an incident light and changing a path of the light. The display device further includes a color drum having a plurality of cell filters arranged cylindrically to face the path of the light outputted from the road lens. Here, the cell filters are in a linear shape. Since the light reflected by the color drum is not lost to the outside, the light efficiency can be enhanced. According to the invention, the linear scroll is possible due to the cell filters that are in the linear shape, so that signal process algorithm can be simplified.

Abstract: A light transistor system, including an image transistor, and a coolant passageway extending through the image transistor. The image transistor has a liquid crystal modulator, configured to amplify a low-power light signal using amplification energy from a higher-power light source, such as a laser or arc lamp. The coolant passageway is configured to receive a flow of coolant therethrough, to allow cooling of the image transistor to prevent damage to it from the higher-power light source.

Abstract: A photo-addressable type recording display apparatus realizes high sensitivity recording display and realizes recording display with short writing pulse application time. The photo-addressable type recording display apparatus is provided with a recording unit that displays an image, a light writing unit that writes an image in the recording unit by the pattern of light, and a control unit that controls the recording unit and the light writing unit. The recording unit is provided with a spatial light modulation element and a driving unit, and the spatial light modulation element has a memory liquid crystal display element layer and organic photoconductive switching element layer.

Abstract: A multiple view display comprises a display device such as a liquid crystal device, a parallax optic such as a parallax barrier, and a controller. The device comprises rows and columns of pixels and the controller supplies image data for a first view to first ones of the pixels and second ones of the pixels such that the first and second pixels alternate in the rows and in the columns. The parallax optic comprises rows and columns of parallax elements with the arrangement of pixels and parallax elements being such that each element co-operates with a respective pair of first and second pixels adjacent each other in the same row to form first and second viewing regions. Each row of parallax elements is off-set in the row direction by half the horizontal barrier pitch. Such an arrangement allows wider angles between the viewing regions to be achieved.

Abstract: A camera is provided that includes an array of optical detectors and an optical filter placed adjacent the array. The optical detectors output detection signals that are used to form control signals. The filter includes spatial sections of individually adjustable optical density. The optical densities are controlled by the individual control signals. The camera outputs the combined control signals and detection signals, thus effectively providing an output with a larger dynamic range than would be provided by the detection signals of the detectors alone. An objective lens and a housing form a stand alone unit. The detectors can have different responses to different wavelengths to achieve color specific effects. Methods are further provided for controlling the filter. The detection signals are scanned to ensure that a predefined filtering condition is met. If not, control signals are iteratively generated and applied to the filter until the condition has been met.

Abstract: A projection system, a spatial light modulator, and a method for forming micromirrors are disclosed. A substrate comprises circuitry and electrodes for electrostatically deflecting micromirror elements that are disposed within an array of such elements forming the spatial light modulator. In one embodiment, the substrate is a silicon substrate having circuitry and electrodes thereon for electrostatically actuating adjacent micromirror elements, and the substrate is fully or selectively covered with a light absorbing material.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator (SLM) is made up of a cell filled with a liquid crystal (LC) based substance. Latter has a variable scattering property with respect to an electric field present in the cell. By using a plurality of electrodes in the direct vicinity of said cell, it is then possible to build an electric field inside it which will permit advantageously to modulate a continuous spectrum from optical signals transmitted through said cell. The different pass bands present in said continuous spectrum while at least few of them comprise at least a respective different wavelength will have to be transmitted through said cell at different regions. Latter will correspond to different values of the amplitude of scattering such to be adapted to modulate the respective different pass bands. Such SLM is used to build a dynamic spectral equalizer. Latter contains a spectral dispersive element placed on an optical path of an incident light beam.

Abstract: A device for the local attenuation of the light intensity in the field of vision of a light-sensitive monitoring and/or recording device (CCD) is described, which is suitable in particular as a glare protection device for video cameras in videophones or correspondingly equipped PCs. The device includes a first objective (L1) and a high resolution ferroelectric liquid crystal modulator (PC, LC) arranged between two polarizers (P1, P2), the liquid crystal modulator having a photo-conductive layer (PC) and a downstream liquid crystal film (LC) made up of helical smectic liquid crystals which is in contact with this layer. The photo-conductive layer (PC) is essentially arranged in the image plane of the first objective (L1), the image plane being imaged onto the monitoring and/or recording device by a second objective (L2). As this occurs, bright light sources or backgrounds are locally suppressed without resulting in a glare or bloom of the image.

Abstract: An optical writing type liquid crystal light valve apparatus is composed so as to have at least first and second transparent substates, a photoconductive layer, first and second electrodes which are arranged so as to contract with and sandwich the photoconductive layer or arranged on one surface of the photoconductive layer, an optical reflective layer, a liquid crystal layer and a third electrode. The second electrode is composed of split electrode sections obtained by splitting the second electrode into a plurality of electrode sections. Opposing areas, which face each other via the photoconductive layer, of the photoconductive layer which the first electrode and the split electrode sections of the second electrode are set to be smaller than an area of the split electrode section of the second electrode.

Abstract: The invention features a photoconductively addressed display and a method of photoconductive addressing in a display. The method includes providing an electro-optic imaging layer that extends in an X direction and a Y direction and comprises an array of image elements. A column electrode layer is provided adjacent to one side of the electro-optic imaging layer. The column electrode layer includes a plurality of column electrodes that each extend in the Y direction and are spaced from one another in the X direction. A photoconductive layer disposed between the electro-optic imaging layer and the column electrode layer is provided. An elongate portion of the photoconductive layer is illuminated in the X direction while scanning the illumination in the Y direction to translate a location of the illuminated elongate portion.

Abstract: In a spatial light modulation device using a reflection type spatial light modulator, read light is a P-polarized light that falls incident on the light reflection layer 17 at a slant. Liquid crystal in the light modulation layer 17 is oriented so as to incline, in association with the application of voltage by the driving circuit 2, within a plane that is parallel to a normal plane which includes the optical axes of both of the incident, read light and the output, modulated light.

Abstract: A spatial light modulating device includes: an electrically-addressed type element for being addressed by electric signals representing information to be written, the electrically-addressed type element including an image display portion having a pixel structure, the electrically-addressed type element being inputted with write light; an optically-addressed type spatial light modulator including a thin film material portion and a pair of substrates, the thin film material portion being provided between the pair of substrates, the thin film material portion having an optical addressing layer and a light modulation layer which are provided one on the other, the optically-addressed type spatial light modulator being inputted with read light; and a compensation layer having a predetermined thickness and provided between the image display portion and the thin film material portion.

Abstract: A projection system includes at least one light source, at least one light modulator and a holographic beam splitter. The light source(s) are adapted to furnish unmodulated beams of light, and each unmodulated beam of light is associated with a different color channel. Each light modulator is associated with a different one of the unmodulated beams of light and is adapted to modulate the associated unmodulated beam of light to produce a modulated beam of light. The holographic beam splitter is adapted to direct each of the unmodulated beams of light to the associated light modulator.

Abstract: A method of operating a liquid crystal cell includes DC-balancing by displaying an inverse image with electric fields of increased magnitude relative to the image producing electric fields. While the inverse image is displayed the image is prevented from being visible by either turning off the light source or re-directing or blocking the light from reaching the viewing area. The image producing electric fields and the inverse image producing electric fields are such that the cumulative time integral of the electric fields that are present in one direction across the liquid crystal material is substantially equal to the cumulative time integral of the electric fields that are present in the opposite direction during the given period of time during the operation of liquid crystal cell. The time duration of the inverse image portion is shorter than the time duration of the image portion by an amount proportional to the increased magnitude of the additional electric fields.

Abstract: The invention is for a process for manufacturing a liquid crystal display element for use in a color display using resist materials. The process comprises forming a transparent conductive film on one side of a transparent substrate; patterning the transparent conductive film by coating with a colored positive resist followed by exposure and development, coating a black-colored negative resist onto the transparent film; forming black stripes by subjecting the negative resist to exposure from the back side of the transparent substrate and development of the negative resist.

Abstract: An image projection system is provided for generating an energy efficient output representative of a desired input image. The image projection system includes a light source positioning device for directing the light from a light source onto a spatial light modulator. An image source provides the desired image to the spatial light modulator and also image information to a light source position controller for coordinating the light source positioning device, such that the light from the light source impinges substantially only the area of the spatial light modulator which contains the desired image. In particular, the controller actuates the light source positioning device by using a predefined scan that corresponds to the desired image. The spatial light modulator modulates the light with the desired input image and generates an output representative of the desired image.

Abstract: A tunable liquid crystal switch is disclosed. An electronic controller provides an electronic drive scheme for achieving low intra-channel cross-talk of less than −40 dB using only electronic compensation. A cross-talk less than −50 dB is provided by combining coarse temperature tuning and electronic compensation. This is acheived by designing the thickness of the liquid crystal device to cause a minimum to occur at a wavelength longer than a longest operating wavelength and at a temperature greater than a maximum operating temperature. This ensures that the liquid crystal device is tunable over all operating wavelengths and temperatures using electronic compensation.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) lightvalve comprising a twisted nematic LC layer whose molecules are aligned with pixel edges at the mirror backplane, thereby providing improved contrast and efficiency, and reduced visibility of post spacers in black state. The present invention is directed to an LC structure wherein the backplane is rubbed in a direction rectilinear with pixel edges. The LC layer is given the same twist rotation and birefringence as in the conventional TN lightvalve. Polarization control is maintained by illuminating the lightvalve with light whose polarization is rotated by the twist angle relative to the x,y, pixel axes, and by collecting the orthogonally polarized component of the reflected light. The lightvalve top glass is thus rubbed in a direction which is rotated by the twist angle from the horizontal or vertical direction at which the backplane is rubbed.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a pair of transparent substrates disposed with a prescribed gap therebetween and each having thereon a transparent electrode, and a liquid crystal layer and a photoconductor layer disposed between the substrates, with the transparent electrode on one substrate being split into a plurality of split electrodes. A display apparatus is formed by disposing a recording medium carrying a recorded picture at different sizes between the spatial light modulator and a writing light source. Depending on the picture size to be displayed on the spatial light modulator, a number among the plurality of split electrodes are selected for writing voltage application under illumination with writing light based on picture size data recorded in the recording medium, whereby a selected size of picture is written in the spatial light modulator and displayed thereon under illumination with reading light.

Abstract: The invention pertains to technological apparatus' for production of polarizers, obtained from lyotropic liquid crystals (LLC) based on organic compounds, in particular, dyes. The technological production line for polarizer formation comprises at least one system of formation of polarizer films from LLC of at least one organic compound, at least one system of local removal of the polarizer film material obtained from LLC of at least one organic compound, at least one substrate holder and at least one means of relative movement. Also introduced, an apparatus for formation of polarizer films from LLC of at least one organic compound and a system of localized removal of polarizer films obtained from LLC of at least one organic compound.

Abstract: An image display apparatus having a storage display device which stores an image written by writing light representative of the image and displays the stored image, includes a density detecting device for detecting a density of the storage display device and a control device which brings image writing to an end when the density detected by the density detecting device reaches a predetermined density after the image writing to the storage display device is started.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel charge transfer materials which have both the advantageous properties of amorphous materials such as structural flexibility and uniformity over large areas, and those of crystalline materials such as molecular orientation and which are excellent in charge transferability, thin-film formability, and durability of various types.

Abstract: A lighting unit includes a housing, a light-conductive-panel and a fluorescent lamp, and has a space between the panel and a side wall of the housing. The lamp has electrodes on both its ends and a curved-corner. The space has different widths at sections where the electrodes are rested and at a section where the curved-corner is rested, and accommodates the lamp therein. The lighting unit is compact in size and has better shock resistance, as well as vibration resistance. The lighting unit and an LCD are integrated into a compact and highly reliable LCD device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a pair of transparent substrates disposed with a prescribed gap therebetween and each having a transparent electrode thereon, a photoelectric conversion semiconductor layer not subjected to rubbing formed on one of the pair of transparent substrates, and alignment film subjected to rubbing formed on the other of the pair of transparent substrates, an a liquid crystal disposed between the photoelectric conversion semiconductor layer and the alignment film. As the photoelectric conversion semiconductor is freed from an aligning performance, the material thereof is freed from the constraint and can be selected so as to optimize the photoelectric conversion performance.

Abstract: An image observing apparatus is arranged to observe outside information from the outside and a display image displayed on an image display device via an optical combiner and via an eyepiece lens superimposed. The outside information and the display image are imaged so as to be superimposed on a surface of a spatial modulator having a two-dimensional pixel structure. Part or all of the outside information and display image is selected on an area basis by the spatial modulator. The outside information and image information thus selected is observed through the eyepiece lens.

Abstract: A light modulation device incorporating: a semiconductor layer 3 formed on the upper surface of a lower transparent electrode 2 and made of an n-type semiconductor material; and an upper transparent electrode 5 formed on the upper surface of the semiconductor layer 3 through an insulating layer 4, wherein an electric field is applied vertically such that the upper transparent electrode 5 is negative and the lower transparent electrode 2 is positive to deplete carriers of the n-type semiconductor layer 3 so as to change at least either one of reflectance of light or adsorbance of light.

Abstract: The image display apparatus of the invention includes: an image projector for projecting a plurality of optical images having image information for a color display in a juxtapositional color mixture state; and a direct-viewing type screen including two opposed faces, wherein the plurality of optical images projected from the image projector onto one of the two opposed faces of the screen vary optical characteristics of the other of the two opposed faces so as to write the image information for a color display; and the written image information for a color display is read out by utilizing surrounding light from the other face, thereby performing a color display.

Abstract: A heated ferroelectric liquid crystal-based spatial light modulator (SLM) that minimizes pixel sticking when operated in a non-DC-balanced mode with spiking and method for using same. The SLM comprises a transparent electrode, a pixellated electrode, ferroelectric liquid crystal material, and a heater. The ferroelectric liquid crystal material is sandwiched between the transparent electrode and the pixellated electrode. The heater is capable of heating the ferroelectric material to at least 40.degree. C. and preferably to between 50 and 60.degree. C. The invention may also provide a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the SLM and a temperature control circuit that is electrically connected to both the temperature sensor and the heater. The temperature sensor may be a diode located proximate to the pixellated electrode or a photo-diode located remote from the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an optical modulation means having a pair of electrodes, and a photoconductor layer and an optical modulation substance layer disposed between the electrodes, a signal light source for supplying light data carrying gradation data to the photoconductor layer, and a readout light illuminator for supplying readout light for reading out picture data to the optical modulation substance layer. The readout light illuminator is driven so as to supply readout light having a planar light intensity distribution providing a constant product of a gradation period and a readout light intensity at each readout site of the optical modulation substance, or so as to scan the photoconductor layer with the light data frame by frame in mutually different scanning directions in succeeding frames.